New Scientist got a chance to fly in Boeing Connexion One, the test plane for the future of airplane travel. New Scientist reporter, Paul Marks, described the airplane trip:
On Friday, at 24,000 feet over the Irish Sea and travelling at 300 knots, the 20-year-old Boeing aeroplane in which New Scientist is flying experiences what many experts in radio interference might regard as a “nightmare scenario�.
Not only have the passengers been allowed to use cellphones in flight – not dreadful in itself perhaps – but the plane is stuffed with the latest technology, all potentially interfering with the plane’s electronics. Wi-Fi transmitters pepper the ceiling and live television and internet signals are being delivered through a 1-metre-wide satellite dish in the top of the plane.
Boeing was demonstrating two of the technologies it thinks will make flying more fun. The plane – Connexion One – is the company’s in-flight entertainment test aircraft.
He goes on to describe wifi networks for Internet access, satellite receivers delivering live television, people chatting on cell phones, and more. Wireless Internet services have been available on many European and Asian airlines for over a year, part of the project I’m working on here in Alabama for Star Aviation and Boeing Connexion.
Connexion One’s pilot and captain Jim Ratley says even with all the electronic equipment the aircraft carries there have been no adverse effect on his flight instruments. He says: “The whole system is meant to be transparent to the pilot so we’re not aware it is there. We’ve never had any reportable emission problems from any cellphone.”
The Connexion One, along with Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, are setting the new standard in customer service for inflight services, while the FAA continues the debate for use of wireless and cell technology inflight.
